By Holly Hales
Anyone who is formally accused of family or domestic violence in Western Australia will be stripped of their firearms under proposed legal changes announced by Premier Roger Cook on Sunday.
Cook has said the update was part of a wider plan to toughen the state’s firearm laws and keep women safe, after Mark Bombara killed Jenny Petelczyc and her 18-year-old daughter Gretl Petelczyc in their suburban Floreat home, before turning his gun on himself.
“We want to keep women safe. We want to make sure that we have a precautionary approach and that safety is our number one priority,” Cook said. Credit: iStock
“We want to make sure that we have a precautionary approach and that safety is our number one priority,” he said.
“As a result of that these new laws will require the police to seize guns from someone who is subject to a formal complaint in relation to domestic violence.
“Now many people will say these are too tough, but we believe the principal aim should be to keep people safe.”
Cook said he wants the legislation passed by parliament’s winter break at the end of June.
“I want these laws passed as a matter of priority. I want them through the parliament as soon as possible,” Mr Cook said.
He said the state government is open to further expanding its gun laws as the investigation into the Floreat murders continues.
Bombara had believed his ex-wife had been staying at the Floreat house, and an upcoming internal police investigation will look at the handling of interactions with his daughter and ex-wife, who had fled “out of fear of their lives”.
His daughter Ariel Bombara claimed WA police ignored multiple warnings her father was dangerous and had several guns and had also refused her and her mother the help they needed.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch rejected accusations the force did not act after it was approached by the women.
“To say nothing was done is wrong. A lot was done,” he told ABC Radio earlier this week.
AAP